ISSN:
1617-4623
Keywords:
Key words Chicken alpha-globin gene domain
;
Northern analysis
;
In situ hybridisation
;
ggPRX gene
;
-14 gene
;
pre-mRNA
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract A novel gene transcribed in the direction opposite to that of the globin genes was found in the chicken α-globin gene domain. Northern hybridisation with single-stranded riboprobes revealed that a 4.5-kb poly(A)+ RNA is transcribed in antisense polarity with respect to the globin genes. The transcription unit encoding this RNA seems to overlap the entire cluster of alpha-globin genes and extends at least 15 kb upstream from π, the first of the α-globin genes. This new transcript shows partial sequence homology with that encoded by the human “-14” gene. An oligonucleotide based on part of a restriction fragment of chicken DNA that is 80% homologous to exon 4 of the human “-14” gene hybridises with a 4.5-kb RNA molecule. In situ hybridisation of globin-antisense probes, that detect polyribosomal mRNAs of 1.7 and 2.5 kb on Northern blots, shows these “antisense” transcripts to be present in the cytoplasm. The 4.5-kb RNA is absent in polyribosomal poly(A)+ RNA and may, hence, represent a nuclear pre-mRNA transcribed from the chicken gene that is homologous to the human “-14” gene. The expression of this gene is not specific to erythroid cells; analogous transcripts were also detected in poly(A)+ RNA extracted from a chicken lymphoblastoma cell line (HP50). Taken together, these data allow us to postulate the existence in the chicken genome of a novel gene, for which we suggest the name “ggPRX” in analogy to the murine mProx1, a gene identified in the upstream region of the α-globin gene domain in mice.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/PL00008644
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